Bengals release RB BenJarvus Green-Ellis, who was third string throughout camp

Cincinnati Bengals running back Jeremy Hill (32) runs against the Indianapolis Colts in the first half of an NFL preseason football game, Thursday, Aug. 28, 2014, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Al Behrman)
(The Associated Press)

Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Jason Campbell (17) hands off to running back Jeremy Hill (32) in the first half of an NFL preseason football game against the Indianapolis Colts, Thursday, Aug. 28, 2014, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Tom Uhlman)
(The Associated Press)

The Bengals released running back BenJarvus Green-Ellis on Friday, a move that was anticipated after they drafted LSU's Jeremy Hill in the second round.

Green-Ellis was Cincinnati's leading rusher each of the last two seasons. His role was reduced last year when Giovani Bernard was added to the backfield. Green-Ellis ran for 756 yards and a career-low 3.4 yards per carry. He was entering the final year on his contract.

The Bengals wanted another pass-catching threat out of the backfield. Hill carried 20 times for 90 yards and caught a team-high six passes for 70 yards during a 35-7 preseason win over Indianapolis on Thursday.